Liquid dispensing device



Sept. l0, 1940.

L. G. BATES LIQUID DISPENS ING DEVICE Filed'OCt. 20, 1938 mvENTOR.

mari/zc@ 2166 mim? ATTORNE S Patented Sept. 10, 1940 zum f PATENT I OFFICE LIQUID msPENsrNG DEVICE Lawrence G. Bates, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Continentalv Say When Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation i Ohio Application October 2Q, 1938, Serial No. 236,052

10 Claims.

In the dispensing of liquids, inv many cases it is of importance that the amount discharged should not be subject to wide variations contingent upon the manner in which the device happens to be operated. Thus, for instance inl discharging iiavoring extracts in bakery usage, etc., a dependably uniform discharge-amount is important. And, in accordance with the present invention desired uniformity and controlled amount of discharge may behad notwithstanding a variation in conditions of usage.

- To the accomplishment of the foregoing an related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed-out inthe claims, the following description and the annexed drawing setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention maybe employed.

In-.said annexed drawing:

Fig. 1 is a part elevational, part vertical section View showing an embodiment of the invention; and Figs. 2-7 inclusive illustrate slight modifications.l

The construction involves relatively movable piston and chamber elements, and valve port means for control of displaced air. And, in Fig.`

1 there is shown a piston element 2 associated with and secured to a stopper 3 for engaging a container of liquid, such as for instance a bottle or jug or the likeof flavoring extract, syrup, beverages, etc. Reciprocable upon the stationary piston is a hollow displacement element or chamber in the form of a cylinder 4, this being shown in depressed position in Fig. l. Extending up from the liquid in the container is a conduit or tube 5 whose upper end strikes and unseats an air valve 6 when the cylinder 4 is depressed thus permittingair in chamber I5 to escape. The air valve 6 may have resilient means, as a spring 1, for normally urging the valve downwardly against its valve seat 8, such that normally when the cylinder 4 is not depressed, the valve 6 closes off the opening within the valve seat. Conveniently, the valve may be mounted in a separable cap il! carried on the upper part of the cylinder and being in effect a cage having openings Il to the atmosphere.

Within the chamber is a constant level overflow f sleeve I2, this projecting up to a predetermined extent in accordance with the size of `the liquid charge'that is to be handled in each operation of the displacement cylinder, the sleeve receiving in turn a further mating or internal sleeve 'i3 which is of smaller diameter through such portion of its length as extends from the top of the overiiow sleeve down to the outlet opening e I4 for the discharge when the cylinder is in depressed position, as in Fig. 1. The portion D 5 below such opening I4 however fits against the sleeve l2 asa valve, and as readily seen such lower portion D of the internal sleeve I 3 closes oif the discharge outlet port I4 as the cylinder is raised, and continues to maintain it closed 10 throughout all of the upper range of excursion of movement of the cylinder, the portion D of the sleeve also closing off the upper overflow chamber B when in raised position, but progressively providing a chamber B increasing in volume b-etween the overilow edge i2 and the narrowed portion of the valve sleeve I3 as the latter descends, and thereby permitting a surplus of liquid inthe displacement chamber A to overflow into chamber B and ultimately proceed down into the space I5 between the sleeve D and tube 5 and escape through a small opening I6 in the latter back `to the liquid in thecontainer. A small air-vent passage I 'l is provided through the stopper element 3, such element being of any de- 'sired or convenient form, in lview of the kind of liquid containers to be dealtr with. A spring means of'form as desired is arranged to normally urge the cylinder 4 into its uppermost or exton element and a shoulder 22 on the displacevment or cylinder element.

The operator then needs only to apply a downward pressing motion upon the Icap for its operation as desired. The moving joint between the element l and the tubular extension 23` of the stationary element is particularlyadvantageously provided with slide ring packing means 2li, I having found that cylindrical rings having a slanting split-cut are of 40 surprising effectiveness as made of synthetic resin composition, such as Vinylite and the like, such construction having resiliency insuring continuing slide and fit and being remarkably frictionless Vand wear-proof. The device in its other portions may in fact also with advantage be made "of synthetic resin composition, or at least such portions as are co-ntacted'by liquid.

The manner of use of 4the device will be understood from the foregoing. Placed upon'a 50 liquid container, for instance a .bottle of flavoring, and with the closure portion 3 engaged in the opening thereof, as a cork or stopper, the operator presses down on the cap, this being normally in its extended or elevated positionby fro the action of a spring 2i), and the sleeve valve I3 initially being in its uppermost position closing off the overflow chamber B and the sleeve D closing discharge outlet port Hi, and the air- Valve 6 being closed against its seat, it being well above the top end of tube 5 at such time. But, as the cap or hollow displacement cylinder is pushedA downwardl the sleeve valve D opens up an annular space B of increasing depth within the overflow l2, and since on an empty stroke the device is full of air, when the sleeve valve D at length clears the port I4 and the upper end of the tube 5 unseats the valve 6 a volume of air escapes through openings il and port ld; and when the operator releases pressure to allow the cap to re-ascend, liquid flows up from the container through the tube 5 in sumcient quantity to more than supply the volume of the space A between the overiiow edge l2 and the bottom of the chamber, and when the operator then depresses the cap the surplus liquid overflows into the-` progressively increasing space B between the sleeve i2 and the narrowed portion of the sleeve valve I3 and escapes through the small opening i6 back to the container, and in due sequence the port C in sleeve valve i3 mates with the port lll and occasions discharge of the measured liquid .through the opening 25 from the chamber into the chamber B and thence through the port lll to the outside discharge nozzle 2B. It will be noted that the liquid in chamber B can follow two paths when the port C mates with the port I4. One of these paths leads through the port lll and thence outwardly through the nozzle 26 and due to the lack of resistance to flow along this path the major portion oi the liquid will pass through nozzle 26. On the other hand, a very small proportion of liquid can pass from chamber B through port C, thence downwardly into chamber l5 and back to the tube 5 through the small opening I6. The amount of liquid following this path will be extremely small because sleeve I3 has an internal diameter slightly in excess of the external diameter of tube 5. Obviously then, very little liquid can flow from port C downwardly due to the slight clearance between the parts. Furthermore, the chamber l5 is substantially full of liquid at all times because of its lrelatively large volume in comparison to the diameter of the drainage port i6. The liquid in chamber l5 will then offer some resistanceto flow of liquid from chamber B radially inwardly through port C.

In some cases it is advantageous to mount the extension spring internally, and as illustrated in Fig. 2, the spring 29a may be placed between the piston member 2a and the cylinder member fla. Here again, an overflow sleeve lila vis provided, and conveniently this may be combined with and be in fact the upper end of the conduit 5a which extends through the closure element 3a, to the liquid in the container. Again, the valve member having its upper portion i3d of reduced diameter, controls the outlet port Mu by its enlarged lower portion, this closing l01T the avenue to discharge when the cap da is in its uppermost position, but opening a discharge passage past the small diameter portion i3d wheny the valve is pushed down such that its lower large-diameter portion is down in the guideway 28 below the port lil. A valve port means da is provided in the cap ila, and conveniently this may be simply operated by the nger or thumb of the operator in association with the action of depressing the Cap. Y

vport 25o to Mc.

Where valves in the top of the reciprocable member are undesirable for any reason, the air control valve may be combined with the outlet discharge passage, as for instance air valve 6b, Fig. 3, in discharge passage 2th. Here again, the stationary piston element 2b has a reciprocable element @lb in association, the thrust of the spring 25D normally holding it in extendedor raised position, and an overflow sleeve l2b'is provided and within the sleeve the valve i322 may be carried by the memberl @b its reduced diameter portion allowing an overflow space B2 Within sleeve ith, while the large diameter lower portion of the valve i313 maintains the port Mb closed until ready for discharge. Again, the sleeve valve |317 reciprocates between the sleeve 21) and the conduit 5b which leads down to the liquid in the container. An opening 9b allows the overflow surplus liquid to escape back through the conduit libV to the container, the valve action being proportioned to open in the movement such as to allow drainage of the surplus or overiow liquid back to the bottle and in turn the final discharge of the segregated liquid in the chamber A2 occurs when the sleeve valve EBD has been depressed lfar enough to uncover both the ports 25h and Mb to form acontinuous passage from the chamber A2 past the small diameter of .the valve l3b through to the outlet 26E). n

The bore of tube 5b is extremely small so as to prevent excess drainage from the chamber A2 back into the bottle. When the parts are in the position just mentioned the `liquid will flow through port 25h, then downwardly through chamber B2 and then outwardly through port hib. Some of the liquid in chamber B2 will be diverted through port 9b but at this time the tube 5b is full of liquid which allows drainage of the contents of chamber A2. It will be apparent that as the sleeve |313 descends the chamber B2 increases in volume and is rapidly filled withliquid which passes through port 9b` and iills up the bore of sleeve 93h. This prevents excess drainage back into the bottle. l

Some simplification of structure may be'had.

by providing the element llc, Fig. 4, with a valve port means 8c to be controlled by the linger or thumb of the operator in connectionwith the depressing of the cap.v Again, the overflow sleeve 20 is provided, and thesleeve valve'therewithin having a small diameter portion'lSc and large diameter'portion l8c which closes oi the ports 25e and me, so'as to allow 'discharge'of the segregated liquid in chamber A3 only after the port-C in the small diametered portion i3c registers with port idc thus providing a passageway from the As in the foregoing, the surplus liquid over the measured charge is allowed to return to the container by the appropriately timed valve action.

The same means for preventing excess drain-- age are present in this embodimentas explained in Figs. l and 3. The chamber formed by the small diameter portion of sleeve i311 increasesin volume as the sleeve descends, thus constantly returning liquid to the bottle or container. When the cap 4c is fully depressed liquid readily ows through port 25o and around `portion l3c and thence outwardly through port idc. This is the easiest port of travel because C3 is relatively small compared with port Mc. Furthermore, the tube leading to the bottle and the bore of the sleeve valve are substantially full of liquid, thuspreventing excess drainage.. I

Instead of externalsprings forl maintaining the cap in'upper or vextended position, small diameter coil springs 20d, Fig. 5, may be placed in land these react between the cap and 'stationary posts 3i! extending from the lower-.stationary element on .the closure Gld. Again, the overflow sleeve ld is provided and the control valve having its'reduced portion i3d such as'to provide a passage from the chamber when theport Md is in register.-

, Thedischarge outlet 26e, Fig# 6, where desired, `may be arranged directly in connection with an A,outlet port` ille in the extended sleeve `portion 3i bf the reciprocable member llc, port lfle being uncovered Vwhen the port I3e` is in `registen'at the depressed or lower position.y Again, constant vlevel overflow is provided at l2e. v"Ihe air valve port means may be in the form oly valve de normally closed by the spring le, andunseated by the'upper end oi the conduit Fie, likewise as foregoing. Or, where preferred, the air valve port means may be more simply a` finger-controlled port 8f,-

stance by a groove 34, as in Fig. 2, determiningl the length of the excursion of movement, the pin or screw 35 through the other member into such groove then permitting the desired range oi movement, but being detachable to allow disassembly when desired. In like manner, the groove 3de, Fig. 6, may have its cooperating pin or screw 35e. The reciprocable member may be arranged to be held in its lower or discharged position until released, if desired, as for instance by a catch pin 38, Fig. '7, normally urged inwardly by a spring 35i, and Seating into the recess 4l) in the inner member when the cap is depressed to its lower or discharged position. It` will be understood that the limiting stop means may be provided on all of the forms of the dispensing device.

Irrespective of the presence or absence of the overflow sleeve H20 as in Fig. l, a constant level means may be had in the form of an opening l2@ such as to position at an appropriate height with relation to the amount of liquid for the charge, as by control of the air port 8c appropriately, the charge of liquid may be gauged by the overflow means and the air pressure occasions discharge of the segregated liquid in the chamber provided by the stationary element.

Other` modes of applying the principle ofthe invention may be employedfchange being madel as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims, or the equivalent of such, be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly l claim as my invention:

in the cylinder to 'be unseated by the top end jof the conduit when the cylinder is depressed, a

conduit overflow sleeve on the piston element to determine the amount of liquid-charge, an internal sleeve carried by the cylinder reciprocable between said conduit andsaid overiiow sleeve and Vhaving an opening above into the cylinder, a

drain-opening below from said sleeve into said conduit, a passage from the lower part of said cylinder to a point of liquid discharge outside, resilient synthetic resin split ring packing means between said piston element and said cylinder, and spring means for raising the cylinder.

2. In a device of the character described adapted`to be placed on a container of liquids, a-stationary piston element, a cylinder element reciprocable thereon, a conduit extending from the cylinder into the liquid container, air port means in the top of said cylinder, a constant level overflow sleeve stationary on the piston element to determine the amount of liquid-charge, an internal sleeve carried by the cylinder reciprocable between said conduit and said over-flow sleeve and having an opening above into the cylinder,l a drain-,opening below from said sleeve into said conduit, a passage from the lower part of said cylinder to a point of liquid discharge outside, resilient synthetic resin split ring packing means between said piston element and said cylinder, and spring means for raising the cylinder.

3. In a device of the character described adapted to be placed on a container of liquids, a stationary piston element, a displacement element reciprocable thereon to form a chamber between such elements on expansion, a conduit extending into the chamber between said elements from the liquid container, air port means in the top of said displacement element, a constant level overflow sleeve stationary on the piston element to determine the amount of liquid-charge, an internal sleeve carried vby the displacement element reciprocable between said conduit and said overflow sleeve and having an opening above in the chamber, a drain-opening below from said sleeve to saidconduit, a passage from the lower part of said displacement element to a point of liquid discharge outside, and spring means for raising the displacement element.

4. In a device of the character described adapted to be placed on a container of liquids, a stationary piston element, a displacement element reciprocable thereon, a conduit extending into the chamber between said elements from the liquid container, air port means in said displacement element, a constant level overflow sleeve stationary on the piston element, a passage from the lower part of said displacement element to a point of liquid discharge outside, and resilient means for raising the displacement element.

5. In a device of the character described adapted `to be placed on a container of liquids, a stationary piston element, a displacement element reciprocable thereon, a conduit extending into the chamber betweenr said elements from the liquid container, air port means in said displacement element, a constant level overflow to determine the amount of liquid-charge, and a passage from the lower part of said displacement element to a point of liquid discharge outside.

6. In a device of the character described adapted to be placed on a container of liquids, a stationary piston element, a displacement element reciprocable thereon, a conduit extending into the chamber between said elements from the liquid container, air port means in said displacement element, a constant level overflow to determine the amount of liquid-charge, and synthetic resin ring packing means between said stationary element and said displacement element.

7. In a device of the character described adapted-to be placed on a container of liquids, a stationary piston element, a displacement element reciprocable thereon, a conduit extending into the chamber between said elements from the liquid container, air port means in said displacement element, a constant level overow to determine the amount of liquid-charge, and limiting stop means for preventing separation of said displacement element from the stationary element.

8. In a device of the character described adapted to be placed on a container of liquids, a stationary piston element, a displacement element reciprocable thereon, a conduit extending into the chamber between said elements from the liquid container, air port means in said displacement element, a constant level overflow to determine the amount of liquid-charge, and spring-controlled limiting stop means to prevent separation of the elements.

9, In a device of the character described adapted to be placed on a container of liquids, a stationary piston element, a displacement element reciprocable thereon, a conduit extending into the chamber between said elements from the liquid container, air port means in said displacement element, a constant level overow to determine the amount of liquid-charge, spring means for raising said displacement element, bores in said displacement `element to receive the same, and posts on said stationary element engaging the spring means.

10. In a device of the character described adapted to be placed on a container of liquids, a stationary piston element, a displacement ele'- ment reciprocable lthereon, a conduit extending into the chamber between said elements from the liquid container, air port means in said displacement element, a constant level overflow to determine the amount of liquid-charge,l and concealable resilient means normally urging the dis-` placement element into extended position.

LAWRENCE G. BATES. 

